Friday, 25 April 2014

Brighton Unity Statement against the March for England 2014

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Last
year, around 1500 Brighton residents from different backgrounds came
out in unity to show the racist MfE that they are not welcome in
brighton. Below is a Unity Statement against the March For England
signed by various Brighton groups and trade unions. We welcome support
from all groups and individuals who want to sign up to the statement. To
add your organisation just email brighton@uaf.org.uk
Brighton is a brilliant and vibrant city where many people of
different cultures, backgrounds, abilities and faiths come together. It
has a positive and unique character which its residents enjoy and
embrace. Brighton people live here in the knowledge that they will be
valued and that the things which make each individual different are
celebrated here – not despised. We take great pleasure and pride in
being surrounded by humanity in all its exciting diversity.
Because of this it is very saddening to discover that the far right
group March for England, which is a division of the violent and racist
organisation the English Defence League, is to march in Brighton (on
April 27 2014). In previous years, participants in the March for England
have made Nazi salutes and shouted homophobic, sexist and racist abuse
at passers-by.
When groups like this come to Brighton it is because our
multicultural city in all its diversity proves that their own doctrine
of hate is wrong, and they want to damage our unity. That is why we
stand together: black, white and Asian; people of all faiths and of no
faith; trade unionists; people of different political persuasions;
University, school and college students; people of all abilities;
whatever our sexuality.
In Brighton we all stand together. And when someone tries to threaten
our community we must stand together even more firmly and join the
counter demonstration on 27th April, meeting at 11.30am at the bottom of
West Street.Caroline Lucas MPNancy Platts, Labour Parliamentary Candidate for Brighton Kemptown and PeacehavenBrighton and Hove Unite Against FascismStop the March for EnglandBrighton Trades CouncilBrighton and Hove UnisonBrighton University UCUBrighton and Hove NUTUniversity of Sussex Students UnionBrighton Love Music Hate RacismPhélim MacCafferty, Green Party Councillor for Brunswick and AdelaideSussex Partnership Unison branchSussex LRCCouncillor Warren Morgan, Labour and Co-operative Councillor for East Brighton, Leader of the Labour and Co-operative GroupGeoffrey Bowden, Green Party Councillor for Queen’s ParkRuth Buckley, Green Party Councillor for GoldsmidLizzie Deane, Green Party Councillor for St Peter’s and North LaineBen Duncan, Green Party Councillor for Queen’s ParkChris Hawtree, Green Party Parliamentary candidate Hove and PortsladeRob Jarrett, Green Party Councillor for GoldsmidDavy Jones, Green Party Parliamentary candidate Brighton KemptownMike Jones, Green Party Councillor for Preston ParkLeo Littman, Green Party Councillor for Preston ParkLisa Murray, Chair Brighton Hove Green PartyPhélim Mac Cafferty, Green Party Councillor for Brunswick and AdelaideAlex Phillips, Green Party Councillor for GoldsmidSteph Powell, Green Party Councillor for Queen’s ParkBill Randall, Green Party Councillor for Hanover and Elm GroveSven Rufus, Green Party Councillor for Hollingdean and StanmerSue Shanks, Green Party Councillor for WithdeanOllie Sykes, Green Party Councillor for Brunswick and AdelaideLiz Wakefield, Green Party Councillor for Hanover and Elm GrovePete West, Green Party Councillor for St Peter’s and North LaineDr. Peter Kyle, Labour Parliamentary Candidate for Hove & PortsladePurna Sen Labour parliamentary candidate, Brighton Pavilion.